Deformation-clutch.



No. 839,463. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906. G. E. FRANQUIST. DEPORMATIONCLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED 111:0. 2a, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

No. 839,463. PATENTED DEC. 25, 1906.

G. E. FRANQUIST. DEPORMATION CLUTCH.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23, 1906.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

['4 Z I; L; l 24 11 2 I 216 z; 16 i jg i N 2F Z5 Z6 In STATES ArenaFIGE.

DEFORMATlQN-CLUTCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 25, 1906.

Application filed December 28, 1905. Serial No. 293,059.

To all, whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GUSTAVE E. FRAN- QUIST, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at the city of New York, in the boron h of Manhattanand State of New York, ave invented certain new and useful 1m rovementsin Deformation-Clutches, of which the following-is a full, clear, andexact description.

My invention relates to clutches, and pertains particularly to theprovision of a clutch which shall have all the characteristics of afriction-clutch with respect to soft and gradual starting and stoppingaction, but which shall be virtually positive or interlocking during theperiod of its driving engagement.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clutch of extremelysmall diameter and rotative inertia, but which shall be capable oftransmitting the heaviest driving forces which occur in practice.

Other objects of the invention are to construct a practical form ofclutch which shall be simple in construction, extremely durable, andhaving a minimum number of parts liable to disarrangement or failure ofany sort.

With these and other objects 'in view my invention consists in theconstruction, combination, location, and arrangement of parts, all aswill be more fully hereinafter described, as shown in the accompanyingdrawin s, and finally particularly pointed out in t e appended claims.

In the drawin s, Figure 1 is a sectlonal view showing a c utch embodyingthe prin-' ciples of my invention. Fig. is a similar view, partly inelevation, showing the parts in thelr drivin relation. Fig. 3,isasectional view on t e line 111 III of Fig. 1.. Fig. 4 is a similarsectional view on the of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a sectional view showing aslightly-modified formof ..c ,onstruct1on. Fig. 6 is a similar viewshowing another slight modification. Fi 7- 1s ,a sectional viewillustrating a stil further: modified form of clutch embodying theprinciples of my invention, and Fig. 8 1s a transverse sec-,

tion of the same.

J The essential principlewhich I have discovered and make use of inthepractical constructions hereinafter descri ed depends upon theelastic deformation of a resilient member under the torquestresses ofthe driving transmission. Stated in other words, the essentialcharacteristlc of clutches emine IV IV- bodying the principles of myinvention is a comparatively thin web or shell of resilient substancethrough which the power is transmitted and which takes on a deformedoutline, producing an interlocking engagement proportional to the powertransmitted.

In carr in out the invention I prefer to employ c utc es having coaxialsurfaces of revolution which can be made to engage one anotherfrictionally and which subsequently become deformed or distorted, sov asto para practically positive clutching engagement. Referring now to thedrawings, in which I have illustrated practical forms of constructionembod ing the foregoing principle and in which li e parts are designatedby the same reference-sign whenever they occur, 1 denotes adriving-shaft, upon which is fixed the fiy-wheel 2, having aclutch-casing 3, formed with an internal annular face4.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of thedrawings, it will be seen that theface 4 is conical or flaring in outline and has at a plurality of pointstherein spaced pockets 5 for aipurpose which will later a pear. 6indicates the driven shaft, which is conveniently, provided with anenlarged extension or head 7 within the clutch and through .which. thedriving forces are transmitted. For this purpose. the head or extension.7 is s lined to the driven clutch member 8, which has. a tubular casing9 extending along the driven shaft. ,10. denotes a collar within thiscasing upon ;which a tension-spring 11, supported against rangement ofthe parts hereinafterdescribed that the invention particularly lies.

Referring particularl to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, I have iliustratedan arrangement, for securing an initial -frictional en-,gaggment and a subsequent positive or inter- 0.0 mgengagement of theclntch-snrfaces;

its exterior peripheral surface withiaplural the head or extension 7,constantly bearsto it is in'the construction, location, and ar-' The,driven clutch member 8 is formed upon of the clutch-surfaces, the degreeof which is tially interlock with one another and secure the drivingforce.

ing them in the form of shallow V-shaped grooves extending along theelements of the cone-surfaces. 14 and 15 denote conical webs or shells,which I shall term the resilient or deformation members, and whichrespectively have projections .16 17 corresponding in form and number tothe recesses 5 and 13, and which are adapted to be received therein. Bymaking the pockets 5 and 13 and the projections 16 and 17 V- shapedtheir engaging faces have a camming or wedge action when they arepressed tangentially together. The deformation mem-- bers each haveannular faces or surfaces, which are normally coaxial perfect surfacesof revolution. Each of the deformation members is supported wholly byits lugs or pro ections 16 17 from the driving and driven clutch members3 and 8, respectively.

The operationis as follows: Imagine the parts in unclutched reilation,as shown in Fig. 1, in which the tubular casing t) and the driven member8 are positively pressed to their right-handed relation by the collar12. Under these circumstances the resiliency of the deformation members14 and 15 will cause them to assume their perfect circular outline,whereupon their engaging surfaces will be true coaxial surfaces ofrevolution. The rotation of the driving member 3 will not be effectiveto transmit movement to the driven clutch member, thedeformationsurfaces sliding idly over one another at this time. If nowpressure is released from the collar 12, the spring 11 becomes effectiveto force the driven clutch member 8 to the left. in Figs. 1 and 2, sothat the opposed conical surfaces of the deformation members come moreclosely into contact and frictionally engage one another, so as totransmit a part of In starting the surfaces slide over one another, asis usual with coned or any desirable form of clutch until the drivenmechanism has attained a certain speed. It is now'merely necessary tostill further release pressure from the spring 11, whereupon it pressesthe oppositely-coiled surfaces into tight engaging relation, andthe fulltorque of the driving member is transmitted therethrough. On account ofthe normal forces of the clutching engagement, and'more particularly thetangential forces of the driving engagement, the deformation memberspresently be'come warped or deformed, as shown in Fig. 4. It is evidentthat the amount of deformation or Warping is generally proportional tothe power transmitted, and therefore to its need, the deformation beinggreater for large driving stresses than in cases where the forces aresmall. The clutch therefore automatic-' ally accords itself to the wantsof its conditions and transmits a great or small force withperfectefticiency. I

I will now describe a slightly-modified form of construction which isshown in Fig. 5 and in which the driving and driven members areindicated at 18 and '19, respectively. The deformation member in thisinstance comprises a spiral band 20, anchored at its two ends 21 and 22to thc interior wall of the driving member 18. driven member 19 variesfrom a true surface of revolution in any way-as, for example, by makingit polvagonal with a plurality The surface of the of sides 19 19 WViththis form of construc- 'tion the interior surface of the deformationmember 20 preserves a surface of revolution generally coaxial with theup erniost points of the driven member until t e driving forces becomeso great as to deform the band into a polygonal shape corresponding tothat of the driven member. It is evident that when this form of clutchis once engaged it acquires the characteristics of aspiral-band clutch,as well as those of a deformation clutch. A further slightly-modifiedform of construction which equally embodies the essential features of myinvention is particularly shown in Fig. 6. This construction is ofparticular practical utility in the case of lathecarriages, beingdesigned to take the place of the usual apron-clutch which operates thecarriage-feed. 23 indicates the drivingmember, and 24 the driven shaft,having a clutch member 24 slidable thereon. The two clutch members arein alinement with one another and have parallel opposed faces 25 and 26.Each ofihe faces 25 and 26 has spaced pockets 27 and 28 therein. Thedeformation members are in this case shown in the form of flat disks orrings 29 and 30, having lateral teeth 29 and 30, which are contained inthe pockets 27 and 28, previously (.itSCIibHl. 31 indicates a stem whichprojects from the member 24 axially through the driving member 23 andthrough the driven. shaft 24' and has at its end a threaded portion 32,engaging the hand-wheel 33, By this means rotation of the hand-wheel 33is effective to draw the faces 25 and 26 toward one another and causethe (l( formation members to frictionally engage, as in the precedingform of my invention. By virtue of the frictional engagementand thetorque transmitted the deformation members become distorted andinterlock in the same way as in the previous case A practical form of myinvention in which asingle defOnnation-surface of cylindrical form isemployed is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, in which 34 indicates thedriving-shaft, and 35 the frame or casin of the clutch member rotatingtherewith. lhe part 35 is made. with an internal annular recess ofcavity 36,

ssaaes within which is located a cont-ractible ring 37, which isanchored to the casing at 38 and extends annularly around the same,terminating in afree end 39, which under certain circumstances can bemoved tangentially to contract the ring. For this purpose it s providedwith an eye 40, into which projects a short arm 41 of a lever fulcrumedat 42 and having an arm 43, by which it is moved to contract the ring.upon the end of the arm 43, which may contact with a conical cam 45, alongitudinal movement of which is effective to move the arm as abovedescribed These particular details are relatively unimportant, it beingmerelyessential to provide a contractible ring 37, having an internalannular face 48. Instead of making the face 48 a true surface ofrevolution I form portions of it, 49, slightly recessed or cut away froma proper cylindrical outline. In other words, the face 48'pre' sents aseries of surfaces -18, which are truly concentric with the axis of theclutch, alternated by slightly-recessed or cut-away portions which wouldnot contact with the true cylindrical outline. Within the member 37 isdisposed the deformation member proper, 50, which in this case comprisesa thin cylindrical shell or ring with integral projecting lugs 50. 51indicates the driven member of the clutch, which has recesses or pockets52, which contain the lugs 50, above mentioned, and retain thedeformation member in proper relation. The operation of this form of myinvention is as follows: When the clutch is idle, the cam-45 is in theposition shown in Fig. 4, and the ring 37 is by means of its naturalresiliency held in its expanded relation and out of contact with thedeformation member 50. Under these circumstances the driving memberrotates relatively to the driven member 51, the ring 37 passing idlyover the deformation-surface. hen now it is desired to apply the clutch,the cam 45 is moved so as to rock the lever 43, whereupon the ring 37 iscontracted so as to frictionally engage the deformation-surface beneath.'lhis deformation occurs at the points 48 around its periphery, and byvirtue of the driving torque, together with the clutching pressure, thedeformation ring or shell 50 becomes distorted, so as to project intothe recesses 49 in the contracting-ring. 'When this occurs, the clutchbecomes virtually an interlockin or positive clutch, and any furtherslip ing Iietween the driving and the driven mem er is impossible. Itwill be seen that I provide a clutch in which the starting engagement ispurely frictional, so as to secure the soft and gradual action which isdesirable, but that after the clutch is once fully in engagement it becomes virtually a positive or interlocking clutch on account of thedeformation surfaces, which are theessential characteristic of theinvention.

44 indicates a cam-roller What I claim isl. A clutch comprising adriving and a driven member having coaxial surfaces, and means actuatedby the torque of the driving transmission for distorting or deformingsuch surfaces out of a true circular outline, the amount of suchdeformation being proportional to the torque of the drivingtransmission.

2. In a friction-clutch, a driving member, a driven member on the sameaxis therewith, said driving member and said-driven member each having afriction-surface normally a surface of revolution and concentric withsaid axis, and means whereby said surfaces are deformed by the torque.of the driving transmission out of said concentric relation with saidaxis.

3. A clutch comprising a driving and a driven member having coaxialsurfaces arranged to frictionally engage one another, and means wherebysuch surfaces become deformed into interlocking or positive engagementunder the influence of the driving transmission.

4. A clutch comprising a driving and a driven member having coaxial websor shells, and means whereby said webs or shells are distorted intointerlocking or positive engagement by the driving transmission.

5. A clutch comprising-a driving and a driven member having coaxialsurfaces with pockets therein, and a pair of deformation members havinglugs contained in said pockets and adapted to frictionally engage oneanother.

6. In a frictionclutch, a driving and a driven member arranged to beaxially moved toward one another, said members havingfrictionally-engaging surfaces, said surfaces being initially capable ofunlimited relative rotation when the clutch is thrown to its position ofcomplete engagement, and means for deforming said surfaces into positiveor interlocking engagement when the torque of the driving transmissionexceeds a predetermined value by reason of the expulsion of the oil frombetween the surfaces.

7. In a friction-clutch, a driving and a driven member arranged to beaxially moved toward one another to the position of complete clutchingengagement in an rotative relation, said members havingfrictionallyengaging surfaces, said surfaces being initially capable ofunlimited relative rotation when the clutch is thrown into saidfully-engaged relation, and means for deforming said surfaces intoositive or interlocking engagement when tfie torque of the drivingtransmission exceeds a predetermined value by reason of the expulsion.of the oil frombetween the surfaces.

8. A clutch com rising a driving and a driven member, a eformation webor shell having integral lugs projecting "therefrom,

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and means for supporting said web or shell wholly from said lugs wherebyit is distorted under the influence of the driving engagement.

9. A clutch comprising a driving and a driven member, a deformation webor shell having integral lugs projecting therefrom, and means wherebythe driving torque is transmitted through said lugs, whereby said web orshell is deformed into interlocking engagement with the other clutchmember.

10. A clutch comprising a driving member having a series of pockets, adeformation web or shell having lugs contained in said pockets, and adriven member having a friction-surface adapted to be engaged by saidweb or shell so as to deform the same into interlocking engagement withthe other clutch member.

1 1. A clutch comprising a driving member having a series of pockets, adeformation web or shel'l'having lugs contained in said pockets, adriven member also having ockets and a second deformation web or sl 1having integral lugs contained in such pockets, saidwebs or shells beingadapted to frictionally engage one another.

1 2. A clutch comprising driving and driven members having pockets and apair of deformation members having integral lugs with cam-surfacescontained in said pockets, and having surfaces'adapted to frictionallyengage one another.

13. In a clutch, a driving member having an internal conical surfacewith a series of pockets therein, a conical deformation Web or shellhaving integral lugs contained in said pockets, and a driven memberadapted to frictionally engage said web or shell so as to deform thesame and produce looking ongagement therewith.

14. A clutch comprising a driving member having an internal'conicalsurface with a series of pockets, a conical web or shell with integrallugs contained in said pockets, a driven member also having a series ofpockets, and a conical web or shell having lugs projecting into saidpockets, and means for moving said driven member longitudinally so as toengage the surfaces of said webs or shells.

15. A deformation-clutch comprising driving and driven" mei'nberseach ofwhich'is deformable and each having a plurality of lugs thereon, andmeans for'exerting a tangential force on each of said lugs, whereby themembers are deformed into interlocking or positive engagement.

16-. A deformation-clutch comprising driving and driven members ofresilient -material, and both of which have a normally circular outline,and means for altering said outline when the friction between themembers exceeds a certain value.

17. A deformation-clutch comprising driving and driven members supportedat equal angularly-spaced points, and capable of becoming deformed froma true cylindrical outline, and means for imparting oppositelydirectedtangential stresses to the members whereby they are deformed.

18. A friction-clutch comprising a resilient or deformation memberhaving a true surface of revolution in its normal shape, means engagingsaid surface of revolution also having a true surface of revolution fortransmitting the driving stresses, and means whereby both members aredeformed out of-a surface or revolution thereby.

19. In a frictionclutch, a driving and a driven member arranged to beaxially moved toward one another to the limit of clutching movement inany position of rotative relation,

said members having frictionally-engaging surfaces, said surfaces beinginitially capable of unlimited relative rotation when the clutch isfully engaged, and means for deforming said surfaces into positive orinterlocking engagement when the torque of the driving transmissionexceeds a predetermined value by reason of the expulsion of the oil frombetween the surfaces.

20. A friction-clutch comprising a resilient or deformation member, apower-transmitting member, and means for deforming both of said membersinto interlocking relation with one another.

2 1 A clutch co nprisin'g driving and driven members which are'elasticor resilient so as to be capable of deformation out of atrue circularoutline by the driving transmission, and means for limiting suchdeformation to a degree within the elastic limit of the material.

In witness whereof I subscribe my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

GUSTAVE E. FRANQUIST.

Witnesses:

WALDO OHAPIN, ALFRED W. PROCTOR.

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